AirPods Pro Launching on October 30 for $249

Apple today announced that it is releasing new AirPods Pro earbuds on October 30. As rumored, updated new accessory features an all new-design with an AirPods-style shape and silicone ear tips to support active noise cancellation technology, along with a $249 price point.

airpodspro
Apple says that the AirPods Pro have been engineered for "comfort and fit" and each earbud ships with three different sizes of silicone ear tips that conform to the contours of the individual ear, offering up a comfortable fit and a "superior seal."


Apple has designed an Ear Tip Fit Test to make sure that users get the best audio experience. After putting the ‌AirPods Pro‌ in each ear, Apple's software will leverage the built-in microphones to measure the sound level in the ear and compare it to what's coming from the speaker driver. Apple says that in just seconds, its algorithm will be able to tell whether the ear tip is the right size and has a good fit or should be adjusted for a better seal.

airpodsproinear
Inside, there's an "innovative vent system" that's designed to equalize pressure to minimize discomfort common with other in-ear designs. Apple also says that the ‌AirPods Pro‌ are both sweat and water resistant with an IPX4 rating. That means they'll hold up to some light splashing and sweating, but submersion should be avoided.

Despite rumors of multiple color options that include black and green, it appears that Apple is selling the ‌AirPods Pro‌ only in white. Due to the larger in-ear design, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ also feature a larger, redesigned charging case to accommodate them.

“AirPods are the best-selling headphones in the world. The one-tap setup experience, incredible sound and iconic design have made them a beloved Apple product, and with AirPods Pro, we’re taking the magic even further,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The new in-ear AirPods Pro sound amazing with Adaptive EQ, fit comfortably with flexible ear tips and have innovative Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. We think customers are going to love this new addition to the AirPods family.”

The AirPods feature an Active Noise Cancellation feature that uses two microphones (one outward facing to detect environmental noise and one inward facing towards the ear) combined with "advanced software" to adapt to each ear and headphone fit and customize sound signal 200 times per second. Apple says that this setup removes background noise for a "uniquely customized, superior noise-canceling experience."

airpodsprocase
A built-in Transparency mode offers users the option to listen to music while still hearing the environment around them, for situations like biking in traffic or listening for an important train message. Transparency mode takes advantage of the vent system in the AirPods to leave just the right amount of noise cancellation.

airpodsprointernal
Swapping between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode can be done using a new force sensor system that Apple has added to the stem of the ‌AirPods Pro‌. This force sensor can also be used to play, pause, or skip tracks and answer and hang up phone calls. The mode can also be controlled through the Control Center on iPhone and iPad, or by tapping the AirPlay icon on Apple Watch while music is playing.

airpodsprocontrolcenter
According to Apple, ‌AirPods Pro‌ have been engineered to deliver superior sound quality with Adaptive EQ, a feature that automatically tunes the low and mid frequencies of the music to the shape of an individual's ear for what Apple says is a "rich, immersive listening experience."

There's a custom high dynamic range amplifier that's able to produce clear sound while also extending the ‌AirPods Pro‌ battery life, plus it powers a custom high-excursion, low-distortion speaker driver designed to optimize audio quality and cut down on background noise.

‌AirPods Pro‌ are equipped with the Apple-designed H1 chip featuring 10 audio cores able to power real-time noise cancellation and deliver high-quality sound while also processing "Hey Siri" commands. Battery life is the same as the AirPods 2, lasting for up to five hours in standard mode. When Noise Cancellation is active, ‌AirPods Pro‌ offer up to four and a half hours of listening time and three and a half hours of talk time.

airpodsproexpanded
The H1 chip also supports hands-free "Hey ‌Siri‌" commands and it allows for Audio Sharing so two people who have ‌AirPods Pro‌ can watch the same movie or listen to the same song with an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.

The included Wireless Charging Case (which does indeed support Qi-based wireless charging) can deliver more than 24 hours of listening time and over 18 hours of talk time. A USB-C to Lightning cable is also included in the box for charging purposes.

The ‌AirPods Pro‌ can be ordered immediately from Apple.com and the Apple Store app and will be arriving to Apple retail locations on Wednesday, October 30. The first orders are offering up Thursday, October 31 arrival dates.

Apple plans to continue to sell the AirPods with Charging Case ($159) and the AirPods With Wireless Charging Case ($199) alongside the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
iPhone 12 Made in India

Trump Tells Tim Cook to Stop Building iPhones in India

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:21 am PDT by
President Donald Trump has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the company's manufacturing expansion in India, in a potential disruption of Apple's plan to shift iPhone production away from China. "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said during his state visit to Qatar, according to Bloomberg. "He is building all over India." "They [India] have offered us a deal where...
apple music

Apple Music Gets New Transfer Tool to Make Switching From Spotify Easier

Wednesday May 14, 2025 5:17 pm PDT by
Apple this week introduced a new feature designed to allow prospective Apple Music users to import their saved music and playlists from third-party music services to Apple Music. The feature is either in an expanded testing phase or it has started rolling out, and it is available in Australia and New Zealand according to an Apple Support document. Signs of the transfer option first surfaced...
maxresdefault

Here's the First Real-World Look at Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:52 am PDT by
The first videos of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience are now available, providing a never-before-seen look at the long-anticipated iPhone-linked infotainment software. British automaker Aston Martin today shared the first video of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience in-action, followed by a detailed walk-through of the CarPlay Ultra system on Top Gear's YouTube channel, which provides the...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
fortnite apple logo 2

Epic Resubmits Fortnite to U.S. App Store After Not Hearing From Apple for 120+ Hours

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:01 pm PDT by
On Friday, Epic Games submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and since then, we've been waiting to see if Apple would approve the game and allow it back on the iPhone and the iPad. There's been no word from Apple so far, but Epic Games opted to pull its first App Store review request, and has now resubmitted Fortnite. Fortnite leaker Shiina shared the news, with the information reposted by...

Top Rated Comments

canyonblue737 Avatar
73 months ago

Can someone please explain what is "PRO" about these?
everyone needs to get over it. Apple uses the word "PRO" to mean a model that has extra features over another model they already sell. iPhone 11 (good) + extras = iPhone 11 Pro (great.) AirPods (good) + extra features = AirPods Pro (great.) iPad (good) + extra features = iPad Pro (great.)
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DEMinSoCAL Avatar
73 months ago
So I guess the "Pro" suffix on Apple products no longer means "for the Professional".
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jecowa Avatar
73 months ago

Can someone please explain what is "PRO" about these?
The price.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
penajmz Avatar
73 months ago
Shut up and take my money!
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flopro Avatar
73 months ago
$249?!?!?!
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dominiongamma Avatar
73 months ago
So much for color rumors. Wanted black AirPods
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)